5 Best Alternatives to CyberGhost VPN in 2026
By Noahlast updated pricing verified
From our data: Only one of the five listed alternatives (Proton VPN) reports a free tier; among all five alternatives' published starting prices ($0, $2.03, $2.49, $2.79, $3.49), the median is $2.49/month, slightly above CyberGhost's own $2.19/month starting price.
NordVPN
Surfshark
Proton VPN
Private Internet AccessHow we picked
- Ranking draws on verified pricing dates: Surfshark and Private Internet Access carry recorded pricing-verification dates from live pricing pages, matching CyberGhost's own verified pricing, while NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN's published pricing wasn't independently re-verified.
- External review-platform ratings anchored ordering: NordVPN and ExpressVPN both post 4.6/5, ahead of CyberGhost's own 4.4/5 from 150 Capterra reviews, with NordVPN's 1,393 Capterra reviews the largest sample among alternatives; Private Internet Access has the smallest sample at 4.3/5 from 14 reviews.
- Free-tier availability was weighted since CyberGhost itself has no permanently free tier: Proton VPN is the only alternative here with a genuinely free, unlimited-data plan (one device, medium speed), while NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access all require payment from day one beyond money-back guarantee windows.
- Independent audit claims were tracked since CyberGhost's own no-logs policy is Deloitte-audited: ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access both report third-party or Deloitte audits of their no-logs policies, and Proton VPN and Private Internet Access both publish open-source, independently audited client apps, while NordVPN's and Surfshark's listings here don't name a specific third-party auditor.
Paid placement never alters editorial rank — read the full methodology.
CyberGhost VPN alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | Standout | Biggest weakness | Learning curve | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberGhost VPNreference | individual users who want a low-cost, long-term VPN subscription (as low as $2.19/month on a 26-month plan) for streaming access and public Wi-Fi privacy across most major platforms | A no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte, combined with support for up to 7 simultaneous devices on a single subscription across desktop, mobile, TV, and router platforms. | The advertised $2.19/month headline price requires paying for 28 months upfront in one lump sum, and Capterra reviewers most commonly cite inconsistent connection speeds and frequent connection interruptions. | Low | From $2.19/mo |
| NordVPN | individuals wanting a fast, easy-to-set-up VPN with a large server network and native apps across desktop and mobile platforms | A very large global server network with consistently fast connection speeds, bundled with Threat Protection ad/malware blocking on every plan and optional password-manager, cloud-storage, and identity-protection add-ons. | The advertised low prices require committing to a 2-year term paid upfront; the standalone monthly plan costs roughly 4x more per month ($14.99 vs $3.49), and reviewers frequently complain about renewal prices jumping sharply once the promotional period ends, making it easy to be surprised by auto-renewal charges. | Low | From $3.49/mo |
| ExpressVPN | consumers who want a simple, reliable VPN that works out of the box across many device types (routers, smart TVs, browsers) without manual protocol configuration | The proprietary Lightway protocol combined with RAM-only "TrustedServer" infrastructure, so no user data is ever written to a physical disk on any server. | List price is high relative to most VPN competitors ($12.99/month for Basic billed monthly), and the low advertised per-month rates only apply on 1- or 2-year commitments with bundled bonus months, so the effective cost jumps sharply if a user doesn't pre-pay for a long term. | Low | From $2.79/mo |
| Surfshark | individuals who want unlimited-device VPN coverage bundled with antivirus and identity-theft monitoring under one subscription, instead of paying for separate security tools | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, unusual among VPN providers that typically cap seats at 5-10 devices. | The advertised price requires paying for a full 24-month term upfront; the low headline rate doesn't apply to month-to-month billing, and published renewal prices after the initial discounted term are substantially higher. | Low | From $2.49/mo |
| Proton VPN | privacy-conscious users and journalists who want an open-source, independently audited VPN with a genuinely unlimited-data free tier, or paid subscribers wanting 10-device coverage bundled with Proton's email and storage products | The free tier has no data cap, unlike most competitors' free plans, and VPN Accelerator claims up to a 400% speed boost over standard WireGuard on high-latency or lossy connections. | The free tier is capped at one device and a small pool of server locations, and users who only want a fast, single-purpose VPN end up paying for Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar features bundled into the higher-value Unlimited plan if they upgrade past VPN Plus. | Low | Free tier · paid from $4.99/mo |
| Private Internet Access | privacy-focused users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single no-logs VPN subscription at a lower price than premium competitors | Unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription, plus client apps (desktop, iOS, browser extensions) published as open source on GitHub under the MIT license. | PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider still draws skepticism from privacy-focused reviewers; the 1-year plan also renews at $49.99/year after a discounted $39.95 first year, a price jump new subscribers should plan for. | Low | From $2.03/mo |
CyberGhost VPN
ExpressVPN1.NordVPN — best CyberGhost VPN alternative for individuals wanting a fast, easy-to-set-up VPN with a large server network and native apps across desktop and mobile platforms
NordVPN is the best CyberGhost alternative for individuals who want a large global server network with consistently fast connection speeds and an easy, app-based setup. NordVPN's Basic plan runs $3.49/month on a 2-year commitment, and NordVPN holds a 4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews, more review volume than CyberGhost's 150 Capterra reviews. Threat Protection ad and malware-domain blocking is included on every NordVPN plan by default, not an upsell, and the Complete tier bundles 1TB of encrypted cloud storage and the NordPass password manager on top of Basic. CyberGhost is still the better choice for anyone who specifically wants to cover more simultaneous devices on one subscription at a lower headline price: CyberGhost supports up to 7 simultaneous connections and starts as low as $2.19/month on its longest plan, cheaper than NordVPN's $3.49/month Basic rate, and NordVPN's advertised low prices require a 2-year upfront commitment, with reviewers frequently noting renewal prices jump sharply once the promotional period ends — a pattern CyberGhost's own reviewers flag too, but around inconsistent connection speeds rather than pricing.
Compared to CyberGhost: 4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews vs CyberGhost's 4.4/5 from 150, Threat Protection ad/malware blocking included on every plan by default, Complete tier bundles 1TB encrypted cloud storage and a password manager
Wins:4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews, more review volume than CyberGhost's 4.4/5 from 150 reviews · Threat Protection ad and malware-domain blocking included on every plan, not an upsell · Complete tier bundles 1TB of encrypted cloud storage and the NordPass password manager on top of Basic
Loses:Basic plan starts at $3.49/month, more expensive than CyberGhost's $2.19/month lowest rate · No stated per-plan simultaneous-device count in this listing, versus CyberGhost's clearly stated 7-device limit · Advertised low prices require a 2-year upfront commitment, and reviewers frequently report renewal prices jumping sharply afterward
Pros
- Large global server network with fast, reliable connection speeds.
- Native apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, plus browser extensions.
- Threat Protection ad/malware blocking included on every plan, not an upsell.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Cons
- Advertised low pricing requires a 2-year upfront commitment; monthly-only billing costs significantly more per month.
- Renewal pricing after the promotional period is a frequent source of user complaints.
- No ongoing free tier; only a 3-day trial for new Android users.
- Reviewers report occasional speed drops depending on server load and time of day, plus some Windows app connectivity issues.
Pricing: From $3.49/mo — $3.49/month (NordVPN Basic, 2-year plan) vs $2.19/month (CyberGhost, 26-month plan)
2.ExpressVPN — best CyberGhost VPN alternative for consumers who want a simple, reliable VPN that works out of the box across many device types (routers, smart TVs, browsers) without manual protocol configuration
ExpressVPN is the best CyberGhost alternative for users who want a proprietary, faster-connecting protocol (Lightway) paired with RAM-only "TrustedServer" infrastructure, so no user data is ever written to a physical disk on any server. ExpressVPN's Basic plan drops as low as $2.79/month on a 2-year term with bonus months included, close to CyberGhost's own $2.19/month lowest rate, and it covers more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries. ExpressVPN holds a 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews, more review volume than CyberGhost's 150 Capterra reviews, and its no-logs policy has been independently audited by third-party security firms, matching CyberGhost's own Deloitte-audited no-logs claim. CyberGhost is still the better choice for users who want the same low starting price with more devices per subscription: CyberGhost includes up to 7 simultaneous devices at every tier, while ExpressVPN's Basic tier doesn't state a comparable device count in this listing, and reaching ExpressVPN's 14-device Pro tier costs up to $19.99/month billed monthly, well above CyberGhost's $12.99/month monthly rate.
Compared to CyberGhost: proprietary Lightway protocol for faster connection times, RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure with no data ever written to disk, 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews vs CyberGhost's 150
Wins:Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers faster connection times than legacy VPN protocols · RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure means no user data is ever written to a physical disk on any server · 4.6/5 rating from 287 Capterra reviews, more review volume than CyberGhost's 4.4/5 from 150 reviews
Loses:Basic tier doesn't state a comparable simultaneous-device count in this listing, versus CyberGhost's clearly stated 7 devices · Reaching the 14-device Pro tier costs up to $19.99/month billed monthly, well above CyberGhost's $12.99/month monthly rate · Monthly billing without a long-term commitment is notably more expensive than most competitors, per its own listing
Pros
- Independently audited no-logs policy and RAM-only server infrastructure for stronger privacy assurances.
- Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers faster connection times than legacy VPN protocols.
- Broad device and platform support, including routers, smart TVs, and browser extensions.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription terms.
Cons
- Monthly billing without a long-term commitment is notably more expensive than most competitors.
- No free tier; even a short trial requires payment upfront (refundable within 30 days).
- Some reviewers report intermittent connection drops and slower performance when switching servers.
- Pricing structure with bonus months and multiple simultaneous-connection tiers can be confusing to compare against flat-rate competitors.
Pricing: From $2.79/mo — $2.79/month (ExpressVPN Basic, 2-year plan) vs $2.19/month (CyberGhost, 26-month plan)
3.Surfshark — best CyberGhost VPN alternative for individuals who want unlimited-device VPN coverage bundled with antivirus and identity-theft monitoring under one subscription, instead of paying for separate security tools
Surfshark is the best CyberGhost alternative for households or power users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, well beyond CyberGhost's cap of 7 devices per subscription. Surfshark's Starter and Surfshark One plans both advertise $2.49/month on a 24-month term, slightly above CyberGhost's lowest $2.19/month rate, but Surfshark bundles antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage up to $1 million into that same subscription, none of which CyberGhost's plans include at any price. Surfshark holds a 4.5/5 rating from 61 Capterra reviews, and its 4,500+ RAM-only servers span more than 100 countries. CyberGhost is still the better choice for users who want the single cheapest long-term rate and an audited no-logs policy backed by a named third-party firm: CyberGhost's $2.19/month rate undercuts Surfshark's $2.49/month, and CyberGhost's no-logs policy is independently audited by Deloitte, a specific, named audit Surfshark's listing here doesn't cite; Surfshark's advertised low rate also requires a full 24-month term paid upfront, with renewal prices substantially higher afterward, the same upfront-commitment tradeoff CyberGhost's own 26-month plan requires.
Compared to CyberGhost: unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan vs CyberGhost's 7-device cap, bundles antivirus and identity-theft coverage up to $1 million into the base subscription, 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries
Wins:Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, well beyond CyberGhost's 7-device cap · Bundles antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage up to $1 million into the base subscription at no extra cost · 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries with a no-logs policy
Loses:Starter and One plans advertise $2.49/month on a 24-month term, slightly above CyberGhost's lowest $2.19/month rate · No-logs policy isn't backed by a specifically named third-party audit in this listing, unlike CyberGhost's Deloitte-audited claim · Advertised low rate requires a full 24-month term paid upfront, with renewal pricing substantially higher afterward
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, with no per-device fee.
- 4,500+ RAM-only servers across 100+ countries with a no-logs policy.
- Bundles antivirus, breach alerts, and identity-theft coverage up to $1M instead of requiring separate subscriptions.
- 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans.
Cons
- Lowest advertised price requires a 24-month upfront commitment; monthly billing costs significantly more per month.
- Renewal pricing after the initial discounted term is materially higher, a common VPN-industry pattern that catches new subscribers off guard.
- No permanently free tier.
Pricing: From $2.49/mo — $2.49/month (Surfshark Starter/One, 24-month plan) vs $2.19/month (CyberGhost, 26-month plan) (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
4.Proton VPN — best CyberGhost VPN alternative for privacy-conscious users and journalists who want an open-source, independently audited VPN with a genuinely unlimited-data free tier, or paid subscribers wanting 10-device coverage bundled with Proton's email and storage products
Proton VPN is the best CyberGhost alternative for privacy-conscious users who want a free tier with no data cap at all, something CyberGhost doesn't offer at any price — CyberGhost has no permanently free tier, only money-back guarantees ranging from 14 to 45 days. Proton VPN's free plan is limited to one device and a small pool of roughly 10 countries at medium speed, but it never caps total data usage, unlike most competing free VPN plans. The paid VPN Plus tier starts at $4.99/month billed annually, cheaper than CyberGhost's shortest 6-month plan at $6.99/month, and unlocks 10 simultaneous devices, 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries, and streaming-service unblocking. Proton VPN's client apps are open source and independently audited across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. CyberGhost is still the better choice for users who want more server locations and broader platform coverage on a budget plan without upgrading: CyberGhost's paid tiers support up to 7 simultaneous devices from the start with coverage including smart TVs and routers, while Proton VPN's free tier's one-device, medium-speed limitation makes the paid VPN Plus tier close to a practical requirement for most users.
Compared to CyberGhost: free tier has no data cap at all, vs CyberGhost's zero permanently-free tiers, open-source and independently audited client apps, cheaper paid entry price ($4.99/month VPN Plus vs CyberGhost's $6.99/month 6-month plan)
Wins:Free tier has no data cap at all, vs CyberGhost's zero permanently-free tiers (only money-back guarantee windows) · Open-source, independently audited client apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android · VPN Plus starts at $4.99/month billed annually, cheaper than CyberGhost's shortest 6-month plan at $6.99/month
Loses:Free tier is capped at one device and a small pool of about 10 server locations at medium speed · Fewer total servers (2,000+) than CyberGhost's broader platform reach including smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles · Proton Unlimited bundles Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar, raising cost for users who only want VPN
Pros
- Free tier has no data cap, unusual among competitors' free plans.
- Open-source, independently audited apps across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- VPN Plus unlocks 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries with streaming-service unblocking.
- Built-in ad and malware blocker plus a kill switch on paid plans.
Cons
- Free tier limits users to one device and a small set of server locations.
- Proton Unlimited bundles Mail, Drive, Pass, and Calendar, raising cost for users who want VPN only.
- Fewer total server count than the largest competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Pricing: Free tier · paid from $4.99/mo — $0 (Proton Free, 1 device) or $4.99/month (VPN Plus, billed annually) vs $6.99/month (CyberGhost, 6-month plan) or $2.19/month (CyberGhost, 26-month plan)
5.Private Internet Access — best CyberGhost VPN alternative for privacy-focused users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single no-logs VPN subscription at a lower price than premium competitors
Private Internet Access (PIA) is the best CyberGhost alternative for privacy-focused users who want unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription, paired with client apps published as open source, options CyberGhost's own listing doesn't include. PIA's no-logs policy has also been independently audited by Deloitte, the same auditor CyberGhost uses, giving both products an equivalent, named third-party audit. PIA's 1-year plan runs an effective $3.33/month (billed $39.95 for the first year), cheaper than CyberGhost's 6-month plan at $6.99/month, and its desktop, iOS, and browser-extension client apps are published on GitHub under the MIT license, letting anyone inspect the code that handles their traffic. CyberGhost is still the better choice for users who want a fixed, single-figure long-term rate without a renewal price jump to plan around: PIA's 1-year plan renews at $49.99/year after the discounted $39.95 first year, and PIA is owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider still draws skepticism from some privacy-focused reviewers, a corporate-history concern CyberGhost's listing doesn't carry.
Compared to CyberGhost: unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription, open-source client apps published on GitHub under MIT license, no-logs policy also independently audited by Deloitte
Wins:Unlimited simultaneous device connections on one subscription, beyond CyberGhost's 7-device cap · Desktop, iOS, and browser-extension client apps are open source under the MIT license, letting anyone inspect the code · 1-year plan runs an effective $3.33/month, cheaper than CyberGhost's 6-month plan at $6.99/month
Loses:1-year plan renews at $49.99/year after a discounted $39.95 first year, a price jump to plan around · Owned by Kape Technologies, whose earlier history as adware maker Crossrider draws skepticism from some privacy-focused reviewers · Smaller Capterra review sample (14 reviews) than CyberGhost's own 150 Capterra reviews
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription.
- Desktop, iOS, and browser extension client apps are open source under MIT license.
- Supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, split tunneling, and multi-hop routing.
- No-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte.
Cons
- Kape Technologies' ownership history (formerly adware maker Crossrider) is a trust concern some privacy-focused users raise.
- The 1-year plan's price jumps from $39.95 to $49.99 upon renewal after the first year.
- MACE ad/tracker blocker and dedicated IP are separate features, not a full replacement for a dedicated ad blocker.
Pricing: From $2.03/mo — $3.33/month (PIA, 1-year plan) vs $6.99/month (CyberGhost, 6-month plan) or $2.19/month (CyberGhost, 26-month plan) (verified undefined NaN, NaN)
Which one is right for you?
- You want the largest global server network with consistently fast speeds.NordVPN
- You want a proprietary protocol and RAM-only servers so no data is ever written to disk.ExpressVPN
- You need unlimited simultaneous device connections for a household or team.Surfshark
- You want a genuinely free VPN tier with no data cap at all.Proton VPN
- You want open-source, independently auditable client apps.Private Internet Access
- You want antivirus and identity-theft coverage bundled into the same VPN subscription.Surfshark
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to CyberGhost?
- Yes — Proton VPN's free tier has no data cap at all, though it's limited to one device and about 10 server locations at medium speed. CyberGhost itself has no permanently free tier, only money-back guarantees of 14 to 45 days.
What is the closest alternative to CyberGhost?
- NordVPN is the closest match on scale and rating, holding a 4.6/5 rating from 1,393 Capterra reviews against CyberGhost's own 4.4/5 from 150. Both price their lowest rate around $2-3/month on a multi-year upfront commitment.
Can Surfshark replace CyberGhost?
- Surfshark can replace CyberGhost for households that want unlimited simultaneous devices and bundled antivirus and identity-theft coverage, at a starting price of $2.49/month. Surfshark's listing here doesn't cite a specifically named third-party audit of its no-logs policy, unlike CyberGhost's Deloitte-audited claim.
Which CyberGhost alternative has open-source client apps?
- Private Internet Access publishes its desktop, iOS, and browser-extension apps as open source under the MIT license, and Proton VPN's client apps are also open source and independently audited. CyberGhost's own client apps aren't described as open source in this listing.
Is ExpressVPN more expensive than CyberGhost?
- At their lowest long-term rates they're close — ExpressVPN's Basic plan runs $2.79/month on a 2-year term versus CyberGhost's $2.19/month on a 26-month term. ExpressVPN's Pro tier for 14 devices reaches $19.99/month billed monthly, well above CyberGhost's $12.99/month monthly rate.
Does any CyberGhost alternative have an independently audited no-logs policy?
- Yes — ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, and Private Internet Access all report independent audits of their no-logs policies, and Private Internet Access is audited by Deloitte, the same firm that audited CyberGhost's own no-logs claim.